Table construction having retractile top portion



Aug. 19, 1958 i: HAFEKOST ET AL 2,848,291

TABLE CONSTRUCTION HAVING RETRACTILE TOP PORTION Filed Aug. 15. 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII [N V EN TORS. ['Tsa EP/ CK HA F's/(0ST L so EDEILSON. BY

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United States TABLE CONSTRUCTION HAVING RETRACTILE TOP PORTION Application August 15, 1955, Serial No. 528,479

9 Claims. ((1311-54) This invention vrelates to tables, and more particularly to tables of the disappearing or roll-up type having a longitudinally flexible but transversely rigid table top which is adapted when not in use to be moved out of sight into some suitable housing, such as a cabinet or within a wall.

So-called disappearing or roll-up tables have been heretofore suggested employing collapsible extension arms beneath such a flexible table top, the latter at one extremity being secured to the outer slide elements of the extension arms, the inner elements thereof being fixedly and horizontally mounted. When it is desired to make use of the rolled-up table, one extremity of the flexible table top is grasped and pulled away from a housing which mounts the aforementioned inner slide elements whereby the extension arms are extended and the flexible table top is pulled thereover. Suitable leg elements are usually provided for the extremity of the flexible table top which is pulled away from .the housing. However, the extension arms heretofore employed in such construction have been undesirably wide and, for example, usually made of wood. They usually consist of a plurality of elongated slide elements which are situated along and beneath the opposite margins of the flexible table top. Such prior slide elements are transversely across the tops thereof relatively wide, particularly those of the wooden variety. Since it is mandatory that a horizontal supporting means he provided beneath the flexible table top to support same when the latter is extended, the extension arms must be so conformed and in such an attitude that when extended the top edges thereof are substantially in a horizontal line for supporting the undersurface of the table top. This makes it necessary to mount such extension arms in such a way that they all are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the table top. An inner slide element of such prior art extension armsnormally is, as aforementioned, fixedly and horizontally secured to a suitable housing or mounting and normallyis the one closest to the longitudinal centerline of the flexible table top and hence the one farthest removed from its respective side edge of the table top. Consequently, the outer slide element of each extension arm is substantially closer to such side edge of the table top which is the cause of a substantial disadvantage in that when the table top is extended for use, there is an inadequate support for the table top in the region of the slide elements which are closest to the longitudinal centerline of the table. For example, near the mounting for the inner slide elements. Pressure, say of the elbow near the edge of the table top, will cause the latter to pivot about the extension arm and thus to upset tableware thereon.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantage.

The invention in one aspect is constituted by a table construction generally similar to that above described with the exception of the use of relatively very narrow extension arms of a particular configuration, such as that shown in U. S. Patent 2,712,972, granted to ,Morris Manson and Frederick Hafekost. The two horizontal extension arms, by virtue of their transversely narrow character, can be mounted respectively extremely close to the two opposite marginsof the table top and when in a fully extended condition even the inner extension arm is sufliciently close to the edge of the table top to prevent the tipping thereof or the pivoting thereof about such extension arm responsive todownward pressure on the table top.

The above and further objects of the present invention will more fully appear from the detailed description given below when read in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application. It is understood, however that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and do not define the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being'had to the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of roll-up table embodying the present invention, such table being in an extended condition;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the table shown in Fig. 1 in a rolled up condition;

Fig. 3 is a perspective fragmentary view of a flexible table top which can be employed in the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of another form of table embodying the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a pair of extension arms employed in the present invention for supporting the flexible table top; v

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of one of the extension arms of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an end view, partly in sectionand with parts broken away, of the lowermost extension arm shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an end view of bracket means for securing an extension arm to its mounting in the present invention; a

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the bracket means shown in Fig.8. T

Referring to the drawings in greaterdetail, particularly to Fig. 1, the novel table construction in one form thereof is constituted by a cabinet-like housing 20 which may be provided with pull drawers 21 and 22 of conventional construction which are housed Within the cabinet. Along the upper margin 20a of the front of the cabinet 20 there is provided a slot-like aperture 23 which extends across the front face of the cabinet for the purpose of receviing and permitting the pulling out of a flexible table top 24, the outer extremity 24 of which is suitably connected to a pair of legs 25 and 26. Such legs are inturn rigidly secured to a crossbar 27 having handles thereupon 28 and 29 to facilitate the pulling out and pushing in of the flexible table through such slot-like orifice. Such outer extremity 24a of the table top 24 may be suitably secured to the crossbar 27.

The flexible table top 24 is flexible only longitudinally and not transversely, as is well illustrated in Fig. 3 wherein a top surface element 30 of suitable flexible sheet material, such as plastic, is shown reinforced on the undersurface thereof by a plurality of transversely extending rib elements, such as 31, 32 and 33. The longitudinally extending adjacent upper edges, such as 34 and 35, of such rib elements are close to one another whereas the corresponding lower longitudinal'edges thereof, such as 36 and 37, are separated due to the-inverted Wedge-like spacing between the adjacent rib elements thereby facilitating longitudinal flexing. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to a table top having this particular construction, any table top being suitable which is of sheet-like conformation and is flexible longitudinally but substantially rigid transversely.

In order to hold the crossbar 27 in proper attitude .with

respect to the housing 20, and in order to provide adequate stability to the extendable table top thereby to avoid the defects aforementioned, a pair of elongated and relatively narrow extension arms 38 and 39 are employed for interconnecting the housing 20 with the aforementioned crossbar 27. The extension arms 38 and 39 are shown in detail in Figs. and 7 and are similar to those disclosed in the aforementioned U. S. Patent 2,712,- 972. For example, the extension arm 38 consists of a plurality of slide elements 40-46, inclusive, and the extension arm 39 consists of a similar number of slide elements 47-53 inclusive.

Referring to Fig. 7, the slide-element 48 is shown in cross-section and consists of a channel member 54 having a floor and sides, said sides forming abase portion 55 and a flared portion 56 adapted for nesting with a base portion 57 of the next adjacent slide element 47. A pair of outwardly directed primary flanges 58 and 59 are secured respectively along the opposite edges of said flared portion 56 and a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel members 60 and 61 are positioned next to and along respective of said primary flanges. A pair of interiorly accessible subchannel members 62 and 63 are positioned next to and along respective of said first-mentioned subchannel members and are conformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement respective primary flanges '64 and 65 of the aforementioned next adjacent slide element 47.

The invention is not limited to the use of this particular form of slide element, it being possible to employ such an element wherein the channel member 54 is in effect turned inside out and is interposed between the opposite pairs of the subchannel members, such as 60, 61. Alternatively, there can be eliminated from such slide elements the channel member, such as 54, and the primary flanges 58 and 59 can be suitably connected, for example, by a metallic strip coplanar therewith.

Considering the extension arm 39 alone, there are seven subelements thereof, namely, the seven slide elements 47-53. Despite the substantial number of such slide elements, the transverse dimension of the extension arm is relatively very small, as is well shown in Fig. 7, which makes it possible for'all of the slide elements to be relatively very close to their respective side edges 24b, 240 of the flexible table top when the latter is fully extended or pulled out of its housing, as shown in Fig. 1.

However, at least one of the slide elements of each extension arm must be further away from its side edge as compared to the distance of the slide element at the opposite extremity thereof when the extension arm is extended. For example, referring to Figs. 5 and 7, the slide element 47 comprises the inner slide element inasmuch as it is secured to a suitable mounting 66 within the housing 20, such slide element being so secured by brackets 67 and 68 to be more fully described hereinafter. Thus slide element 53 comprises the outer slide element of the extension arm 39 by virtue of the fact that it, when the arm is fully extended, is outermost with respect to the housing 20 and also is outermost with respect to a longitudinal centerline 69 (Fig. 5). However, as employed herein, the term inner slide element refers to the one secured to the fixed mounting 66 whether it be the closest or the farthest one with respect to such longitudinal centerline, and the term outer slide element refers to the one farthest removed from the housing 20 when the extension arm is fully extended.

As is Well shown in Fig. 5, the slide elements 46 and 53 can be positioned most closely to the side edges 24b and 240, respectively of the table top 2 whereas the slide elements 40 and 47 are farthest removed therefrom. Of course, this arrangement may be reversed and the slide elements 46 and 53 may be secured to the mounting 66, if desired, and hence be the closest ones to S '4 side edges 24b, 24c, and thus the slide elements 40 and 47 will be the farthest removed from such edges.

However, by virtue of the relatively small transverse dimension of the extension arms 38 and 39, the distance between a side edges, for example 24b, and the farthest slide element 40 is substantially closer than heretofore attained.

In one form of the invention, the uppermost longitudinal edge 53a of the extension arm 53 and the uppermost longitudinal edge 46a of the extension arm 46 may be positioned substantially directly vertically beneath their respective table top side edges 24c and 24b in which event the maximum distance between such side edges and the respective inner slide elements 47 and 40 will be substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the extension arm as shown in Fig. 7 which will be relatively small. The stability of the table top 24 fully extended under these conditions is satisfactory and in the absence of extreme pressure upon the edges thereof in the region of the farthest extension arm will not result in the tipping of the table top.

However, it may be desired to locate such extension arms substantially more closely to the longitudinal centerline 69 thereby creating a substantial distance between each of the side edges and even the outer of such slide elements, such as 46 and 53. This will result in an even greater distance between such side edges and the inner slide elements and may result in instability of such table top in the absence of suitable means to remedy this. Such means comprise connecting or hook means having subelements located respectively upon the extension arms and the undersurface of the table whereby the undersurface of the table, in response to the pulling out of the table top, is caused to be hooked or connected to both of the extension arms thereby overcoming the above-mentioned defect and providing adequate stability for the table to prevent the extended table top from pivoting about either one of the extension arms in response to pressure along a margin thereof.

Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown suchan example of a single hook means 70 consisting of subelements 71 and 72. Subelement 71 comprises a hook secured as by Welding, for example, to the inner extremity of slide element 50 and positioned for coacting with the subelement 72 of eyelet configuration. That is, subelement 72 is in the form of a downwardly extending arm (Fig. 7) having a perforation 72a for receiving finger 71a of the hook 71. The subelement or eyelet 72 is secured by any suitable means to the undersurface 24d of the table top 24.. There are employed at least one pair of such hook means, namely, for interconnecting the table top 24 with both of the extension arms. The other hook means of the pair thereof here employed are shown in Fig. 6 at 73. The invention is not limited'to the employment of a single pair of such hook means 70, 73 it being possible to secure a hook, such as 71, to each of the slide elements (except the inner one where it is normally not necessary). The eyelets 72 are suitably spaced upon the undersurface of the flexible table top to coact with their respective hooks 71 in response to the pulling out or extending of the table top usually to its fully extended condition as shown in Fig. I. When the table top is pushed inwardly to house same within the cabinet 20, the eyelets 72 disengage themselves from their respective books 71.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the flexible table top 24 is received, when it is pushed inwardly for housing purposes, by a pair of U-shaped guide elements 74 and 75 which in transverse cross-section also are of U-shaped configuration, such guide elements thus being in the nature of channels, the mounts of which are facing one another'as is well shown in Fig. 1. The length of each such guide element is thus preferably about equal to the length of the table top 24- whereby such table top is guided to and held in its inoperative position, as shown i F g, i

-68. The bolt 82 passes through such slot.

It is, of course, understood that the outer slide elements 46 and 53 are suitably secured to the crossbar 27.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 is substantially identical to that described above with the exception that the U-shaped guide elements 74 and 75 are eliminated and in lieu thereof the table top 24 is wound up upon a drum 76 which, if desired, may have resilient means, such as coil spring 77, associated with shaft 78 thereof for aiding in winding up the flexible tabletop when desired. Suitable limit stops may be employed for holding the table to any desired degree of extension without springing back under the influence of such spring. A horizontal guide roll 79 mounted upon a shaft 80 is provided above the drum 76 for guiding the table top by a rolling action thereby to enable the pulling out and the winding up of such top.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, the bracket means will now be described for mounting the inner of the slide elements, such as 40and 47. Asshown-in-Fig. 5 for arm 39, there preferably are two brackets 67 and 68 which are secured to the mounting 66. The latter preferably comprises a rigid element of substantial thickness, for example, of Wood, having a passage 81 therethrough through which passes a bolt 82 which secures,

for example, the bracket 67 thereto. A similar bolt secures bracket 68.

In order to insure freedom from binding and facilitate the extension and contraction of the extension arms 38 and 39, we have found it desirable to permit some longitudinal play'in such arms relative to mounting 66 which can be accomplished by forming somewhat elongated slots, such as 83 (Fig. 9), in each of the brackets 67 and The major axis of the slots extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 69 of the table top and hence the presence of such a slot in each bracket permits the extension arms some relatively small but adequate swinging motion about a vertical axis which can be, for example, the axis of the bolt 82 or bolt 84 coacting with bracket 68.

Referring to Fig. 8, the means for associating the brackets 67 with the mounting 66 will now .be described. In view of the frequent longitudinal shifting of the bracket 67 because of the elongated slot 83, suitable wear resisting means are provided, particularly Where the mounting 66 is of wood, in order to prevent dederioration by wear of the upper surface thereof. To this end a bottom wear plate 85 is interposed between lower surface 67a of lowermost arm 67b of bracket 67 and element 66. A washer 86 having a central tubular portion 87 is positioned above the bottom plate 85, the tubular portion 87 being coaxial with the passage 81 and positioned for receiving the bolt 82. The washer 86 comprises a flange upon the tubular portion 87 and extends well over the upper surface of such arm 67b, as

is Well shown in Fig. 5. Thus frequent transverse shifting of the brackets 67 and 68 will not damage the mounting 66.

The invention is not limited to the employment of a cabinet-like housing 20 and it is understood that the flexible table top can be housed when fully contracted by any suitable housing. For example, a slot-like aperture may be cut in the wall of a room and suitable guide means may be provided behind the wall for the table top, a suitable mounting also being provided for supporting the extension arms 38 and 39. Also in certain forms of the invention, it is not mandatory to employ guide elements, such as 74 and 75, or a wind-up drum, such as 76.

What is claimed is:

1. In a table of the class described, primary table support means; a pair of extension arms each consisting of a plurality of slide elements, one slide element of each pair of extension arms being secured substantially horizontally to said primary table support means thereby positioning the other slide elements of each arm for movement horizontally and in the same direction from such support means; secondary table support 'means, the outer .slide element of each extension arm being-connected'to said secondary table support means thereby adapting the latter for relative movement toward and away from the primary support means, said extension arms thereby being extendable and contractable in response to the movement of said secondary table support means relative to said primary support means; a table top flexible longitudinally but substantially -rigid transversely, such table top being connected ,at one extremity thereof to said secondary table-support means, and connecting means for ing means including one connecting element secured to at east one such slide element of each extension arm and another connecting element'secured to the underside of the'flexible table top.

2. In a table of the class'described, primary table support means substantially of table height; a pair of extension arms each consisting of a plurality of slide elements, each slide element including a pair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel members positioned next to and along respective of said flanges, and a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel members positioned next to and along respective of said first-mentioned subchannel members and conformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of another such element; one Slldfi element of each pair of extension arms being secured substantially horizontally to said primary support means thereby positioning the other slide elements of each arm formovement relative to the one so secured thereby enabling extension of each arm horizontally and in the same direction from such support means; secondary table support means of substantially the same height as said primary support means and including table leg elements, the slide element of each extension arm Which is positioned for maximum separation with respect to the one secured to the primary support means, being secured to said secondary table support means thereby adapting the latter for relative movement toward and away from the primary support means, "said extension arms thereby being extendable and contractable in response to the movement of the secondary table support means relative to such primary support means; a relatively fixed table top element positioned above said primary table support means and covering same thereby to obscure said extension arms when the latter are fully contracted responsive to the movement of said secondary support means to a position close to said primary table support means; a flexible table top member of a length at least equal to the length of one of said extension arms when extended, said flexible table top being flexible longitudinally but substantially rigid transversely and secured at one .extremity thereof to the aforementioned secondary table top means; guide means positioned adjacent the innermost extremity of such slide element which is secured to the primary table support means for guiding said flexible table top towards an inactive position beneath the aforementioned fixed table top; each of said extension arms being positioned beneath and along a margin of said table top; and connecting means for interconnecting the undersurface of said table top to at least one of said slide elements of each of said extension arms responsive to the pulling out of the table top and thus extending of said extension arms by a preselected amount.

3. In a table of the class described, primary table support means substantially of table height; a pair of extension arms each consisting of a plurality of slide elements; one slide element of each pair of extension arms being secured substantially.horizontally to said primary table support means therebypositioning the other'slide so secured thereby enabling extension of each arm horizontally and in the same direction from such support means; secondary table support means of substantially the same height as said primary support means and including table leg elements, the slide element of each extension arm which is positioned for maximum extension with respect to the one secured to the primary support means, being secured to said secondary table support means thereby adapting the latter for relative movement toward and away from the primary support means, said extension arms thereby being extendable and contractable in response to the movement of the secondary table support means relative to such primary support means; a relatively fixed table top element positioned above said primary table support means and covering same thereby to obscure said extension arms when the latter are fully contracted responsive to the movement of said secondary support means to a position close to said primary table support means; a flexible table top member of a length at least equal to the length of one of said extension arms when extended, said flexible table top being flexible longitudinally but substantially rigid transversely and connected at one extremity thereof to the extendable extremities of said extension arms; and

connecting means for interconnecting said table top and at least one of said slide elements of each of said extension arms responsive to the pulling out of the table top and thus the extending of said extension arms by a preselected amount, there being one connecting element secured to one slide element on each side of the table and there being a coacting element secured to the under side of the flexible table top for this purpose, said connecting means coacting to prevent vertical movement of the table top relative to the extension arms, at least in the region of such connecting means.

4. In a table of the class described, primary table support means; a pair of extension arms each consisting of a plurality of slide elements; an inner slide element of each pair of extension arms being secured substantially horizontally to said primary support means thereby positioning the other slide elements of each arm for movement relative to the one so secured thereby enabling extension of each arm horizontally and in the same direction from such support means; secondary table support means, an outer slide element of each extension arm being connected to said secondary table support means thereby adapting the latter for relative movement toward and away from the primary support means, said extension arms thereby being extendable and contractable in response to the movement of the secondary table support means relative to such primary support means; a table top member flexible longitudinally but substantially rigid transversely and connected at one extremity thereof to the aforementioned secondary table top means; and connecting means for interconnecting said table top and at least one of said slide elements of each of said extension arms responsive to the extending of said extension arms by a preselected amount, said connecting means including a connecting element secured to one slide element on each side of the table and a coacting element secured to the underside of the flexible table top for this purpose.

5. In a table of the class described, a cabinet-like housing having a rigid top surface; a rotatable drum within such housing; a table top flexible longitudinally and adapted for being wound and unwound upon such drum, such table top being relatively rigid transversely thereof; a pair of extension arms each consisting of a plurality of slide elements, the inner of which is secured in horizontal attitude to such housing, each slide element comprising a pair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel members positioned next to and along respective of said flanges, and a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel members positioned next to and along respective of said first-mentioned subchannel members and conformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of another such slide element; a table leg element secured respectively to the pair of outer slide elements of said pair of extension arms; a cross-connector element interconnecting the outer of such slide elements;

- said flexible table top being connected at one extremity to said rotatable drum and at the other to said crossconnector element, the latter thus being movable toward and away from said cabinet-like housing and causing in response contraction and extension of said extension arms; said extension arms when in an extended condition being positioned beneath, along and adjacent the opposite marginal regions of said table top, the slide element adjacent one extremity of each of such arms being farther removed from the adjacent edge of the flexible table top than the slide element at the opposite extremity of such extension arm; and hook means having hook elements respectively secured to the underside of said table top and to said extension arm for securing said table top to said extension arm at a point intermediate the opposite extremities of said extension arm in response to the extension of the latter to a preselected degree.

6. In a table of the class described, a cabinet-like housing having a top surface; a table top flexible longitudinally and rigid transversely thereof; a pair of extension arms each consisting of a plurality of slide elements, the inner of which is secured horizontally to such housing; a table leg element secured respectively to the pair of outer slide elements of said pair of extension arms; a cross-connector element interconnecting the outer of such slide elements; said flexible table top being connected at one extremity to said cross-connector element, the latter thus being movable toward and away from said cabinet-like housing and causing in response contraction and extension of said extension arms; said extension arms when in an extended condition thus being positioned beneath, along and adjacent the opposite marginal regions of said table top; and hook means having hook elements respectively secured to the underside of said table top and to said extension arm for securing said table top to said extension arm at a point intermediate the opposite extremities of said extension arm in response to the extension of the latter to a preselected degree.

7. In a table construction, primary table support means substantially of table height; a pair of extension arms mounted upon said primary table support means in substantially'parallel horizontal relation, each of said extension arms including a plurality of duplicate slidably engaged silde elements, the inner slide element of each of said extension arms being secured to said primary table support means, the outer slide element of each such arm being free to be extended relative to the inner one; each of such extension arms including a pair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel members positioned next to and along respective of said flanges, and a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel members positioned next to and along respective of said first-mentioned subchannel members and formed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of another such member; a table top flexible longitudinally but substantially rigid transversely and of a width greater than the horizontal distance between said extension arms, said table top at one extremity thereof being connected to the outer of the slide elements of said extension arms; in response to the extension of said extension arms, said flexible table top being pulled thereover, said extension arms being situated below the opposite marginal regions of said table top, a slide element at one extremity of each extension arm being at a greater distance from the edge of the flexible table top than a slide element at the opposite extremity thereof; and hook means having subelements for interconnecting each extension arm with the underside with the flexible table top responsive to the extension of said extension arms and thus the stretching out thereover of the flexible table top, one of such subelements for each extension arm being Connected to one of the slide elements thereof and positioned for coacting with a hook subelement on the underside of such table top thereby to prevent the table top from moving vertically relative to the extension arm when such subelements are engaged.

8. In a table construction, primary ta'ble support means; a pair of extension arms mounted upon said primary table support means in substantially parallel horizontal relation, each of said extension arms including a plurality of slidably engaged slide elements, the inner slide element of each of said extension arms being secured to said primary table support means; a table top flexible longitudinally but substantially rigid transversely and of a width greater than the horizontal distance 'between said extension arms, said table top at one extremity thereof being connected to the outer of the slide elements of said extension arms; in response to the extension of said extension arms, said flexible table top being pulled thereover, said extension arms being situated below the opposite marginal regions of said table top; and hook means having subelements for interconnecting each extension arm with the underside With the flexible table top responsive to the extension of said extension arms and thus the stretching out thereover of the flexible table top, one of such subelements for each extension arm being connected to one of the slide elements thereof and positioned for coacting with a hook subelement on the underside of such table top.

9. In a table of the class described, primary table support means; a pair of extension arms each consisting of a plurality of slide elements, one slide element of each pair of extension arms being secured substantially horizontally to said primary table support means thereby positioning the other slide elements of each arm for movement horizontally and in the same direction from such support means; secondary table support means, the outer slide element of each extension arm being connected to said secondary table support means thereby adapting the latter for relative movement toward and away from the primary support means, said extension arms thereby being extendable and contractable in response to the movement of said secondary table support means relative to said primary support means; a table top flexible longitudinally but substantially rigid transversely, such table top being connected at one extremity thereof to said secondary table support means, and connecting means for interconnecting said flexible table top at at least one of said slide elements in response to the separation of said primary and secondary ta-ble support means by a selected degree.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

